‘A Journey of Insights’ Review: Key Leadership Lessons from Former USC Dean James G. Ellis

Book Review: A Journey of Insights: Lessons in Leadership and Legacy

By James G. Ellis

Synopsis

A Journey of Insights draws upon the lessons James G. Ellis learned while a teacher and dean of USC’s Marshall School of Business, as well as those he absorbed during his preceding years at Harvard Business School and in executive leadership. In plotting a roadmap for a successful business life, his stories show illustratively how business schools and their students can prosper. At the core of his message is a central theme: listening to the voices around you throughout life is the key to success. In essence, ears can speak louder than voices. (Simon & Schuster, 2026)

Contents

Chapter 1: A Dean’s Story: The Cold Car Hood
Chapter 2: Finding Your Wave
Chapter 3: The Bill Gates Conundrum: Is Business Education Worth It?
Chapter 4: Relationships and Mentors: The Power of Connection
Chapter 5: Plotting Your Own Map: Know Thyself
Chapter 6: Preparation and Perseverance
Chapter 7: Don’t Sell Sales Short
Chapter 8: Risk Management and Disappointment
Chapter 9: The Fifth Decade: Giving Back

Review

What if one of the most important skills for success isn’t knowing what to say, but knowing when to listen? That simple idea is at the heart of this collection of lessons drawn from a lifetime in business, education, and leadership. Ellis doesn’t offer a rigid formula for success; instead, he shares stories and observations that encourage readers to think differently about their careers and lives.

He weaves in personal stories from people he met along the way and the takeaways from those encounters. For example, Matthew Guglielmo, who started out as a furniture buyer with a Philadelphia department store chain, taught him how to prepare for negotiations by knowing what you want and how to ask for it. Simply put, if you don’t ask for something, you won’t get it.

Of all the notable people he met throughout his life, the one who stands out most is Senator John F. Kennedy, whom Ellis accidentally bumped into at the San Francisco airport in 1959 when he was just 12 years old. That day, he learned the importance of taking responsibility for your actions and the power of a sincere apology. It became a guiding principle for his life: we can learn life lessons, big and small, from everyone around us.

Key topics explored in the book:

Leadership & Mentorship
Relationships & Connection
Preparation & Perseverance
Risk-taking & Overcoming Disappointment
The Art of Sales
The Importance of Giving Back

Each chapter concludes with reflection questions, allowing readers to apply these concepts directly to their own personal and professional journeys.

Ellis repeatedly returns to the value of learning from those around us. Sometimes the best advice isn’t delivered in a formal lecture or board meeting, it comes from simply paying attention. The book serves as a great reminder that success is rarely achieved alone: listening, staying curious, recognizing opportunities, and learning from both successes and failures shape a much richer journey.

Key Chapter Highlights

Chapter 5: Focuses on the integrity of your word. Ellis learned that protecting your reputation matters throughout your entire life. He also stresses putting yourself in the shoes of those who work around you, recommending that early-career professionals learn a business from the ground up to truly understand every role.
Chapter 8: Highlights the necessity of risk-taking and personal accountability. Ellis urges readers to own their actions while giving full credit to others for their accomplishments.

“Sometimes you must take risks to take care of those around you. In doing so, stay humble, as you are one of many.”

Ellis also challenges readers to consider whether traditional business education truly prepares people for the realities of leadership and life. Avoiding generic corporate jargon, he uses a smooth blend of practical business wisdom and personal reflection to deliver his message.

Overall, A Journey of Insights is a thoughtful, engaging reflection on what it takes to build a successful career and a meaningful life. Recommended for students, entrepreneurs, business professionals, and anyone seeking practical wisdom. It’s never too late to learn something new—and if you’re willing to listen, this book has plenty to say.

“Preparation is what gets you ready to do a great job. Perseverance is what you need to see a job through to completion… Each time you leave an achievable goal unachieved, it becomes easier to give up the next time you’re faced with a challenge.”

Get your copy of A Journey of Insights today!

About the Author

James G. Ellis served as dean of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California from April 2007 until June 2019, overseeing the education and well-being of over 5,700 graduate and undergraduate students. He held a full-time tenured appointment as Professor of Marketing starting in 1997, retiring in July 2021.

Holding an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BBA from the University of New Mexico, Ellis held leadership roles across the corporate world, including President/CEO of Porsche Design and CEO of Port O’Call Pasadena, along with ownership in six other companies. He began his career with Broadway Department Stores in Los Angeles.

** Thank you to Fauzia Burke and FSB Associates for the gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

‘Valet’ by J.P. Lacrampe: The Whimsical Robot Novel You Didn’t Know You Needed

Book Spotlight: Valet: A Novel

By J.P. Lacrampe

Synopsis

Cy wants nothing more than to be useful, raise his utility score, and receive the next update for his operating system. But that’s easier said than done when he’s tasked with helping his owner’s thirty-five-year-old son “get out of his funk.” (Simon & Schuster, 2026)

Grayson is nothing like his go-getter, CEO sister Charlotte. He didn’t inherit the family robotics company when their dad passed last year, he doesn’t have a master’s degree, and he just can’t seem to figure out the San Francisco dating scene. He’d rather eat synthesized mozzarella sticks and make pottery at his studio, Kilning Time.

When Grayson learns of Charlotte’s plan to sell the company to a tech conglomerate, he panics. It’s not just the family business at stake, it’s all the technology—like Cy—their dad invented over the years. So he does what anyone would do: he steals the flash drive with his father’s most important work stored on it and plans a corporate takeover. If only he knew what that meant.

To make matters worse:

A fellow VALET deserts his owner and asks Cy to help him hightail it out of town.
Grayson’s first real date—and her dog—keep showing up at inopportune times.
The behemoth tech company wants this deal closed yesterday.

Grayson, Cy, and their trusty golden retriever, Sasha III, must go on the lam until they figure out exactly what to do, and whom to trust.

A hilarious, madcap adventure that is as tender as it is insightful, Valet asks not just what it means to be human, but what it means to be family.

Read This If You Love:

Vibe: A whimsically speculative ode to Wodehouse’s Jeeves and Wooster.
For Fans Of: Kevin Wilson (Nothing to See Here) and Andrew Sean Greer (Less).
Core Tropes: A helper robot, his thirty-five-year-old ward, and a madcap adventure to save the fate of a family empire.

“Valet is a hilarious and bracing examination of the near future, where Cy, a techbot servant, must navigate the complexities of humans to maintain his utility score. What makes this such a winning and openhearted novel is that J.P. Lacrampe goes beyond the initial premise by looking at the universal anxiety of family, of being tied to people with whom you will rise and fall, either toward a new update or into obsolescence.” — Kevin Wilson, New York Times bestselling author of Nothing to See Here and Run for the Hills

About the Author

J.P. Lacrampe received his MFA in creative writing from Saint Mary’s College. His short fiction has been published by Glimmer Train, McSweeney’s, Instant City, and in Howl: A Collection of the Best Contemporary Dog Wit. He is a teaching professor at Santa Clara University, where he teaches courses in composition, fiction, and screenwriting.

Why Modern Economic Policy Failed: James K. Galbraith’s ‘The Power to Destroy’

‘In The Power to Destroy,’ James K. Galbraith explains how yesterday’s economic tools don’t work today. Photo: University of Chicago Press

📚 Book Spotlight: The Power to Destroy: How Bad Economics Drove America’s Decline

Author: James K. Galbraith

Release Date: September 23, 2026 (Available for pre-order)

The Dissonance of Modern Economics

Acclaimed economist James K. Galbraith sounds an urgent alarm on how conventional economic ideas and policies have failed to adapt to the most daunting challenges of our geopolitical moment. (University of Chicago Press, 2026)

Amid a mounting sense of American decline, everyday citizens live with a strange contradiction: traditional economists keep announcing that everything is fundamentally fine. They point to steady growth, low unemployment, relatively stable prices, and high stock markets, asking: what’s there to worry about?

Synopsis

The Power to Destroy shows that this dissonance reflects a failure of the discipline to evolve. Galbraith’s incisive history of 21st-century economic policy centers on a fundamental flaw: today’s experts are still deploying tools from yesterday’s wars.

Relying on obsolete ideas, outdated measures, and crude indicators like standard output and price indexes—many honed a century ago for a vastly different social landscape—offers little hope in the face of today’s existential threats.

Galbraith argues that these conventional policies are accelerating the decline of the US economy. Key policy shortcomings include:

Mismanaged Inflation: Weak responses to the post-pandemic inflation of 2021–2022.
Geopolitical Miscalculations: Flawed strategies regarding the sanctions war against Russia and the economic rise of China.
Stagnant Revival: Half-hearted and ineffective attempts at domestic industrial policy.
Unaddressed Crises: Inadequate preparation for climate change and the impending demographic crisis.

All of these failures root back to a flawed body of economic thought sustained for ideological rather than practical reasons. As Galbraith makes plain, while market systems have their virtues, government policies are what make functioning markets possible in the first place. Sticking with outdated theories brings the power to destroy, making new, realistic ideas an urgent necessity for survival in an emerging multipolar world.

About the Author

James K. Galbraith holds the Lloyd M. Bentsen, Jr. Chair in Government/Business Relations at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin.

His previous books include:

Entropy Economics: The Living Basis of Value and Production (with Jing Chen)
Inequality: What Everyone Needs to Know
Welcome to the Poisoned Chalice: The Destruction of Greece and the Future of Europe

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Leaving Washington: Why Jen Thompson Walked Away from Political Power in ‘Wild Pivot’

‘Wild Pivot’ by Jen Thompson is an impactful memoir about choosing truth over approval. Photo: Barnes & Noble.

Book Review: Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rewritten by Jen Thompson

Release Date: September 22, 2026 | Status: Available for Pre-Order

As a successful and prominent young Republican strategist, Jen Thompson possessed the power and prestige she had always strived for, yet it was built on an underlying current of personal disconnect. Her inner voice warned that she was living someone else’s definition of a meaningful life. It took a near-fatal car accident on a high-profile Senate campaign trail to shatter her trajectory, forcing her to question the identity she had built and the loyalty that kept her tied to it.

Told through short, engaging vignettes, this memoir traces Thompson’s journey from political ambition to profound personal transformation.

The Plot: From Capitol Hill to Down Under

The narrative opens on February 14, 2023. Jen is attending an outdoor screening of Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney, Australia, reflecting on a tumultuous year. She has been sued and slandered on the front pages of newspapers, cheated on, lied to, and nearly killed in a car crash.

After running a successful political campaign to elect Congressman Jim Talent to the U.S. Senate representing Missouri, she put as much distance as possible between herself and Washington by escaping to Australia. There, she finally felt free. Turning down numerous high-level job offers, her Republican peers thought she was crazy. What she couldn’t tell them was that her core political views had fundamentally shifted. The people she once worked alongside were now dominating the headlines, and new acquaintances in Australia were stunned to learn about her past.

From there, Thompson shares her life story:

Childhood Foundations: Growing up in a Christian Scientist family and facing her father’s demand at age 11 to lay out a twenty-year career plan.
The DC Pressure Cooker: Recounting the brutal stress of her years as a political strategist and how those struggles opened her eyes to a world she had never envisioned.
A New Path: Committing to living a life of truth and personal freedom, regardless of the cost.

Table of Contents

Part I: Wired

Chapter 1: Time Bomb: Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Boom
Chapter 2: Becoming Wired
Chapter 3: The Monster Unleashed
Chapter 4: Truths
Chapter 5: Gravity
Chapter 6: Becoming Unwired
Chapter 7: After the Caribbean
Chapter 8: Chasing the Boar Part I
Chapter 9: Chasing the Boar Part II
Chapter 10: Healing
Chapter 11: Last Two Months of the Campaign
Chapter 12: The Election

Part II: Rewired

Chapter 13: Alternative Endings
Chapter 14: White Privilege
Chapter 15: Consequences
Chapter 16: Love

Book Review

Jen Thompson delivers a candid look at the high-stakes world of American politics and the terrifying cost of living an inauthentic life. In walking away from her career, Thompson illustrates that genuine evolution—aside from being uncomfortable—can often be isolating. Yet, her journey toward healing proves that dismantling an old life is a necessary step toward true freedom. Especially memorable is her willingness to examine her past without protecting her ego.

Chapter Highlights

Chapter 2: Thompson recounts the happiest day of her life: her first day working for Congressman Jim Talent on Capitol Hill. She describes growing increasingly driven, working over 80 hours a week through holidays. Yet, when left alone, she became consumed by a fear of failure:

“My fears grew into a raging monster that roared with an unstoppable push to succeed.”

Chapter 6: The turning point arrives with a horrific car accident on her way to Springfield. Though the vehicle was left unrecognizable, she survived—and in the quiet shock of the aftermath, clarity struck:

“That very moment is suspended in time as the one when my life began to change.”

Core Themes & Final Verdict

The vignettes move with unflinching honesty and sharp wit through a non-linear format. Central to the narrative is an exploration of blind loyalty and the seductive, destructive desire to belong. Her story also examines the themes of identity, transform tion, and liberation and the uncomfortable process of confronting the beliefs that once defined us. Thompson examines how institutional validation can quiet our intuition, compelling us to trade internal truth for external applause.

Overall, Wild Pivot is a compelling memoir about what happens when success no longer feels like success. It’s a story about choosing truth over approval and discovering that sometimes the most courageous pivot is the one that leads back to yourself. It stands as a powerful testament to the courage required to rewrite your story—no matter the price. Readers who enjoy insightful, deeply human memoirs will find this one hard to put down.

“In the stillness, it occurs to me that meaning can only come by way of wholeness, and wholeness, it must be said, does not come easily.”

About the Author

Jen Thompson is a former high-powered Republican strategist and congressional lawyer who famously walked away from Washington at the peak of her career. She managed the nationally watched 2002 campaign that tipped the divided U.S. Senate back to Republican control, overcoming a massive deficit by orchestrating high-profile events with the President of the United States. Alongside her political work, she served as a lawyer-lobbyist at top international law firms and spent eight years as a chief political commentator for NBC and ABC news affiliates in Richmond, Virginia.

** Thank you to Fauzia Burke and FSB Associates for the gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Post-WWI Trauma Meets Classic Detective Noir: ‘No Saints Only Killers’ Review

‘No Saints Only Killers’ by Luke Deckard is 1920s post-war nor at its finest. Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours, used with permission.

Book Review: No Saints Only Killers by Luke Deckard

Part of Paste Creative Book Tours

The Story

Logan Bishop is an American war-damaged private investigator living in London in 1922. On a cold Monday morning, he returns to his modest home to find a postcard in the mail from his estranged father, Reverend Daniel Bishop of Chicago. He’s in town and needs to meet up with Logan to talk about important matters.

Logan hasn’t heard from him in over a decade, and for good reason. Daniel was abusive to Logan throughout his childhood and Logan equates contacting him with being back at war. Reluctantly, he calls the hotel room. Daniel sounds desperate and paranoid, pleading for Logan’s help with an urgent matter. But before he can explain, the line goes dead after what sounds like a violent confrontation.

Before slipping into a coma, Daniel leaves Logan with a desperate plea: find Greta Matas, a woman tied to his past, before she’s killed.

Logan heads to Edinburgh in search of answers, but from the moment he arrives, nothing adds up:

Greta is missing.
Her son is wanted for murder and on the run.
Logan is being watched—by the police, by gangsters, and by men who will do anything to keep the truth buried.

As Logan encounters police officers, gangsters, and dangerous secrets, his investigation becomes both a hunt for the truth and a search for personal redemption… provided he doesn’t end up dead first.

Get your copy of ‘No Saints Only Killers’ today!

Review

Set against the backdrop of 1922 London and Edinburgh, No Saints Only Killers delivers a sharp and atmospheric slice of post-World War I noir. The novel follows Logan Bishop as he is forced out of his isolated routines by the brutal attack on his estranged father, launching him into a deadly, fog-shrouded investigation to find a missing woman from his father’s past.

Character Analysis

Logan Bishop is a complex and deeply flawed protagonist who embodies classic hardboiled detective tropes while remaining grounded and human. As a former military sniper struggling with severe shell shock and a crippling morphine addiction, Logan’s willingness to pursue the mysterious Greta Matas reveals a stubborn sense of loyalty beneath his damaged exterior. His troubled relationship with his father gives the story personal stakes, driving Logan into dangerous territory despite his instincts to stay hidden.

Core Themes

Trauma and Disillusionment: The shadow of the Great War hangs over every chapter, illustrating the psychological scars left on a generation trying to numb their pain in the early years of the Jazz Age.
Systemic Corruption: The narrative explores the dark underbelly of 1920s Britain, exposing a world where institutions offer no salvation and power rests in the hands of ruthlessly corrupt forces.
Moral Ambiguity: True to its title, the novel demonstrates that in a broken society, absolute virtue is an illusion and everyone is navigating varying shades of grey.

“‘You want compassion?’ I wanted to laugh. ‘There are no saints in this world, only killers.’”

Style & Tone

In true noir fashion, the story is told entirely through Logan’s first-person perspective. It’s fast-paced, easy to read, and packed with plot twists around every corner. The prose balances gritty edge with vivid, poetic language:

“Two teardrops landed on the table and exploded. I crushed my eyes shut and inhaled as I pushed Tim and the hate I had for myself to the back of my mind.”

Final Verdict

Overall, No Saints Only Killers by Luke Deckard expertly combines historical mystery and postwar trauma, successfully transplanting gritty American noir into 1920s Britain. With its complex protagonist, high stakes, and dark atmosphere, readers who enjoy historical crime fiction and hard-boiled detectives will find this one hard to put down.

“Maybe I was a sucker for her pretty face. Maybe my motivation was shallow. I don’t know. I wanted to believe her. I also wanted to believe that maybe there was something between us, which possibly made me ignorant, or foolish.”

About the Author

Luke Deckard is the author of No Saints Only Killers, which was shortlisted for the Amazon New Voices Awards and a finalist at Bloody Scotland’s Pitch Perfect. He is the co-host of the CINEMA SLEUTHS podcast, a reviewer for Get Your Comic On, and a creative writing mentor at the University of Westminster.

**Thank you to Stephanie Caruso, Paste Creative Book Tours, and Luke Deckard for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Book Spotlight: ‘Operation Medusa’ by Jake Greco

Book Spotlight: Operation Medusa (Book 1)

By Jake Greco

Synopsis

History’s wounds never fully heal — and in the wrong hands, they can start a war.

From the creator of the Specters of Athena universe comes a gripping new military thriller saga that blends real-world history, relentless action, and the razor’s edge of modern geopolitics. (Amazon, 2026)

When Greece and Turkey collide in a dangerous dance of brinkmanship, the conflict is fought not only in contested waters and borderlands, but also in intelligence rooms, diplomatic corridors, and the shadows where truth is the first casualty.

At the heart of the series is Nikolas “Strix” Andros — a battle-tested Greek operative whose past in black operations and NATO counterterrorism leaves him uniquely suited for the high-stakes games being played in the Aegean. Alongside Command Sergeant Major Yakovos Rousso, Strix faces provocations by air, land, and sea, each one threatening to ignite a wider war neither side can fully control.

Told through multiple perspectives — Greek, Turkish, and NATO — Operation Medusa combines the adrenaline of modern special operations with the deep resonance of generational history. Inspired in part by the author’s own Greek heritage and the stories of family members who lived through siege, hunger, and occupation, the series honors the resilience of a people while delivering page-turning suspense.

If you crave military thrillers with authentic action, layered political stakes, and characters forged in the crucible of history, Operation Medusa will keep you reading deep into the night.

Other Books in the Series

Book 2: Sea of Fire
Book 3: Final Coil

About the Author

Jake Greco grew up in Arizona and is a desert rat at heart. His father, a WWII veteran, taught him to shoot at a young age and fueled his lifelong passion for firearms and adventure. These early life experiences have molded him into a versatile storyteller whose works span the full spectrum of thriller and suspense genres.

A lifelong admirer of the Southwest’s rugged beauty, Jake weaves the stark landscapes and complex characters of the region into his novels. His stories often feature heroes and antiheroes grappling with morality, loyalty, and the unpredictable twists of fate. From shadowy desert hideouts to the tense corridors of power, his tales explore the human condition under extraordinary pressure, reflecting both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit.

Elin Hilderbrand’s ‘The Five-Star Weekend’ Is Now a Peacock Series

The best-selling novel is now a limited series on Peacock. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book to Series: Elin Hilderbrand’s “The Five-Star Weekend” Hits Peacock

Elin Hilderbrand’s beloved summer read is officially jumping from the page to the screen, The highly anticipated adaptation of The Five-Star Weekend has officially arrived as an eight-episode limited series on Peacock.

Whether you are a longtime resident of Hilderbrand’s fictionalized Nantucket or a newcomer looking for your next dramatic binge-watch, here is everything you need to know about the book’s premise and the star-studded new series.

📖 The Book Synopsis

Hollis Shaw’s life seems picture-perfect. She’s the creator of the popular food blog Hungry with Hollis and is married to Matthew, a dreamy heart surgeon. But after she and Matthew get into a heated argument one snowy morning, he leaves for the airport and is tragically killed in a car accident. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

In the wake of the tragedy, the cracks in Hollis’s perfect life—including a strained marriage and a complicated relationship with her daughter, Caroline—grow deeper.

Seeking comfort and a fresh start, Hollis decides to host her own “Five-Star Weekend” on Nantucket. The concept? One woman organizes a trip inviting one best friend from each distinct phase of her life: her teenage years, her twenties, her thirties, and midlife.

But this getaway doesn’t turn out to be a joyful, breezy Hallmark movie…

🎬 Meet the Cast & Characters

The Peacock adaptation features a powerhouse ensemble cast to bring Hollis’s inner circle to life. Here is who is playing who in the eight-episode series:

Character	Phase of Life	Played By	The Drama They Bring
Hollis Shaw	The Host	Jennifer Garner (also Executive Producer)	A grieving food influencer trying to piece her life back together six months after her husband’s death.
Tatum	Teenage Years	Chloë Sevigny	Hollis’s childhood best friend. Her husband stirs the pot by inviting Hollis’s first love, Jack Finigan, to the island.
Dru-Ann	The Twenties	Regina Hall	Hollis’s UNC Chapel Hill college roommate. Now a prominent Chicago sports agent, her career is on the line after a major social media misunderstanding.
Brooke	The Thirties	D’Arcy Carden	Hollis’s adulthood pal who has just discovered her husband is having yet another inappropriate workplace relationship.
Gigi	Midlife / Present	Gemma Chan	A mysterious internet stranger who connected with Hollis through her blog. She embodies unusual grace but harbors major secrets.

📺 From Page to Screen

The Five-Star Weekend is a surprising and captivating story about friendship, love, and self-discovery. It promises to be a weekend like no other.

Fans of the book can expect plenty of beautiful Nantucket backdrops, delicious food blog aesthetics, and juicy, decades-spanning secrets.

All eight episodes are streaming now on Peacock.

Are you planning to read the book first, or are you diving straight into the binge-watch? Let me know in the comments below!

‘I Know a Place’ by Nat Cassidy Book Review: The Best New Atmospheric Horror

Book Review: I Know a Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours

By: Nat Cassidy

Featuring an Introduction by: Stephen King

The first collection from author Nat Cassidy features his unique blend of gleefully terrifying short fiction, including the hit novella Rest Stop.

“These stories are f*cking great. They rule. So read them.” — Stephen King, from his introduction

Synopsis

There are locations in this world where the light doesn’t seem to reach. Where, no matter how illuminated the place might be, shadows creep in too strongly to fight back.

These locations and more are your destination, and bestselling author Nat Cassidy will be your guide. Featuring the Bram Stoker Award-nominated, critically acclaimed novella Rest Stop (one of Esquire’s Best Horror Books of 2024), along with a number of other original short stories—some of which have never been published before—I Know A Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours is a travelogue down twisting side streets and through alleyways where the darkness has eyes and teeth.

Let’s hope you make it home in one piece.

The Table of Contents (Stories):

Rest Stop
Meet-Cute #1: The Unluckiest Girl
Generation
Nice
The Art of What You Want
The Lunar Eclipse
Laughlines
Run for Your Life
Jubilee
Juncture
Come Into the Life of Things
Meet-Cute #2: The Scariest Thing
A Fruiting Body

My Review: Creeping Dread in Everyday Places

Nat Cassidy is a Stephen King fan, and his influence absolutely shows. King has a keen gift for turning ordinary situations into absolute nightmares, and this collection proves that Cassidy has that exact same superpower.

I Know a Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours is a chilling collection that proves horror doesn’t need haunted castles or isolated mansions to unsettle readers. Instead, Cassidy transforms the mundane—a lonely highway rest stop, a doctor’s office, a cramped apartment, even a modern kitchen—into landscapes of creeping dread where something always feels just a little wrong.

Anchored by Rest Stop, which absolutely lives up to its award-nominated reputation, the book delivers relentless tension and a growing sense of unease. Throughout the collection, Cassidy expertly blends psychological horror, supernatural terror, and deep human emotion. His characters feel completely authentic, making their encounters with the bizarre all the more impactful.

Standout Highlights

Rest Stop – Abe is in a band that has a gig coming up, but for now, he’s on the road in the middle of the night to visit his grandmother in the hospital. He has a complicated relationship with her, but she’s the only grandparent he has ever known. When he sees a sign for a gas station, he takes the next exit for a much-needed break. What could possibly go wrong? Next time you stop at an isolated gas station in the middle of the night, try not to think about this story.
Nice – Mitchell is a six-year-old boy obsessed with Santa, much to his parents’ chagrin. When Twinklebottom the Elf visits him in the middle of the night to ask for his help in easing the elves’ workload by not being too nice, he’s unprepared for how far Mitchell will go.
The Lunar Eclipse – A woman waiting for an eclipse looks back at her life and the man she met when they were six years old. They eventually became romantically involved but have since moved on. He has passed away, but she can’t help but remember the promise they made 50 years ago while witnessing another eclipse: no matter what happened, they’d be together for the next one. No matter what…

The Verdict

Each story explores different shades of fear, from grief and guilt to obsession and isolation, while maintaining a distinctive voice that is equal parts unsettling and compassionate. Cassidy’s vivid prose creates immersive settings where darkness seems to seep through every crack.

“This parking lot has gotten too dark and it feels like that van, with its impenetrable windows, is swelling in size, blotting out what little light there is.”

He takes places we all instinctively distrust, like an empty midnight gas station littered with googly eyes, and injects them with a creeping, visceral malice. The atmosphere throughout the anthology is thick and heavy; no matter how well-lit these venues claim to be, the shadows always fight back with teeth.

Cassidy’s writing is remarkably adaptable. He bounces effortlessly between psychological unease and sharp, bloody terror, ensuring that each detour feels uniquely dangerous. It’s a sharp, terrifying read that reminds us exactly why we look over our shoulders in empty rooms.

For those brave enough to step off the main highway, I Know a Place is a brilliant, dark journey that’s well worth taking. Just be prepared for the nightmares that may follow. Perfect for fans of atmospheric horror and unsettling short fiction, this exceptional collection showcases Nat Cassidy’s remarkable imagination and storytelling skill.

“It was a joke, more or less. He had to have known that.”

Get your copy today!

According to Deadline, Gary Dauberman’s Coin Operated has secured the rights to Rest Stop for a future feature film. Cassidy will adapt the screenplay with Dauberman and Mia Maniscalco as producers.

** Thank you to Eve Bailey and Flo Communications for my gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

‘Reaping of Hellfire’ Review: Rue Blackwood Steals the Show in This Dark Romantasy Sequel

‘Reaping of Hellfire’ is Book 2 in the Guardians of Death series by Aurora Ramsden. Photo: Amazon

Book Review: Reaping of Hellfire by Aurora Ramsden

Synopsis

Reaping of Hellfire is the scorching second installment in the Guardians of Death series, continuing the paranormal chaos through the eyes of the wildest Blackwood sister, Rue. Rather than a standalone, this novel serves as a crucial chapter in a planned four-book dark romantasy saga.

The Blackwood sisters—Nyx, Opal, and Rue—are triplet hellhounds who were abandoned as babies and adopted by a kind, loving couple.

The Backstory

The novel kicks off with a prologue set 104 years in the past. On his 12th birthday, an orphan named Xander Drakonis undergoes the ceremony where a scythe chooses its master. Desperate to escape his boys’ home, Xander is transformed into a reaper and granted twin scythes: Terra and Shade.

The Present Day

In the modern timeline, Rue, Nyx, and Opal are celebrating their 25th birthday with their adoptive parents. It’s an important day for Ryker Calix (Nyx’s mate), who is meeting the parents for the very first time.

But the cozy family time doesn’t last long. The sisters are gearing up for their second year at Death University in the Soulmere Realm. They’re hoping for an easier year—fewer near-death experiences, more advanced courses, and plenty of naps.

They are in for a rude awakening.

Welcome to the Abomination Games

Upon returning to campus, they are immediately summoned for the Bone Rite. Headmaster Calix delivers the grim news: they have been selected to compete in the deadly Abomination Games. The order comes directly from Grand Deity Zeraphina, a volatile, five-year-old, glitter-happy deity. Saying “no” to her is the fastest way to get smote into cosmic confetti.

Between grueling coursework and a lethal competition, Rue also has to manage her growing obsession with Xander, a man who is fast becoming impossible to ignore. This year is shaping up to be one hell of a ride, and Rue plans to enjoy every sinful, sparkly second of it.

Review: Hellfire, Humor, and Unapologetic Spice

Reaping of Hellfire turns up the heat, delivering a wildly entertaining blend of dark fantasy, sharp humor, romance, and nonstop chaos. The story wastes no time throwing readers directly into the deadly Abomination Games, where survival is anything but guaranteed.

Character Dynamics & Perspectives

Told through a dual first-person narrative shifting between Xander and Rue, Ramsden gives us an intimate look at two incredibly compelling leads:

Rue Blackwood: An irresistible heroine whose sarcastic wit, reckless decision-making, and unapologetic personality make every chapter a joy to read. Her inner monologue is packed with laugh-out-loud moments that perfectly balance the book’s darker elements. Beneath her chaotic exterior lies a deeply resilient competitor.
Xander: The romantic tension simmers beautifully throughout the novel. The men in Rue’s life provide an intoxicating mix of sinful temptation and explosive chemistry, driving an irresistible dynamic that expertly balances suspense with playful “smut-book” tropes.

World-Building and Prose

Ramsden brilliantly expands her imaginative world this time around, introducing dangerous new creatures and unpredictable magic. The pacing is relentless; as alliances shift and secrets unfold, you can’t help but stay hooked.

What elevates this book above standard romantasy is Ramsden’s beautifully poetic prose. She seamlessly transitions from laugh-out-loud comedy to striking, visceral imagery:

“I scream without air—a sound ripped from somewhere deeper than lungs, deeper than ribs, deeper than bone.”

Core Themes

Agency vs. Divine Control: The characters must constantly navigate the reality of being mere pawns for unreliable, fickle deities.
Found Family and Survival: The fierce bond between the sisters anchors the story, contrasting the grim, dark magic of the university with glittering humor.

The Verdict

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (An absolute must-read for dark romantasy fans!)

Reaping of Hellfire by Aurora Ramsden is a thrilling, addictive ride that perfectly captures the joy of embracing the chaos. If you love morally gray characters, supernatural competitions, and high-stakes romance, you will devour this book.

This sequel leaves readers desperate for the next adventure in the series—which will feature Opal taking center stage!

“A pack is what a hellhound treasures most. Family-whether by blood or bond. Pack can be defined through love, loyalty, or friendship.”

Pick up your copy today!

Content Warning

Intended for mature readers (18+). It contains graphic and potentially triggering material such as:

Strong language and frequent profanity
Explicit sexual content and dominant/submissive dynamics
Graphic violence, blood, gore, and dismemberment
Supernatural, horror, and demonic elements
On-page and ritualistic killing

** Thank you to Aurora Ramsden for my gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

‘Voyagers’ Book Review: Emotional Sci-Fi Meets Childhood Trauma

‘Voyagers’ is Meg Charlton’s debut novel. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Review: Voyagers by Meg Charlton

The Story

Years ago, when Alex and Ana were six years old, they vanished for thirty-six hours during a sleepover while on vacation near Palm Springs. When they returned, dazed but unharmed, their account had all the traits of an alien abduction. The media frenzy that followed made them famous, and the long months of child stardom—of talk shows and sitcom cameos—created a seemingly unbreakable bond between them, until the mystery behind their disappearance began to tear them apart.

In the present, “the Signal,” a mysterious transmission pulsing from the edge of the solar system, arrives, changing the world overnight. Planes are grounded, satellites fail, and speculation abounds. While humanity holds its breath for first contact, the Signal feels deeply personal to Alex, now a thirtysomething lawyer who has spent years distancing himself from the unexplainable. It is the opening of an old wound.

With the world on edge and the Signal growing stronger, Alex is drawn back to the one person who might have answers. Ana, now a professional advocate for experiencers of extraterrestrial contact, is leading a retreat near Palm Springs, close to the site of their childhood disappearance. As the former best friends tentatively reunite, what starts as a quest to confront the reality of their original experience becomes a larger reckoning with friendship, faith, family, and truth itself.

Review

Voyagers by Meg Charlton reframes a popular sci-fi premise—a world-altering cosmic transmission—into a profoundly intimate character study. While humanity holds its breath over potential first contact, Alex is forced to confront a childhood trauma he spent decades burying.

Charlton beautifully balances global intrigue with deep character development. The mystery surrounding Alex and Ana’s disappearance keeps the pages turning, while their complicated reunion adds emotional weight to the unfolding narrative. As the tension of the global phenomenon grows, it perfectly mirrors the internal reckoning between the two protagonists. Rather than relying solely on extraterrestrial speculation, the novel uses the themes of memory, belief, and the stories people construct to make sense of their lives.

The pacing is steady, with suspense building naturally as the Signal grows stronger and long-buried questions demand answers. The writing is thoughtful and atmospheric, creating a sense of wonder without sacrificing emotional authenticity. Written in a non-linear narrative, the story unfolds beautifully through Alex’s first-person perspective:

“I saw all my younger selves stretched out like skeins of geese across the sky, crisscrossing in the air, the six-year-old Alex still flying away from California, the adult flying back toward it.”

Key Themes & Concepts

Most Intriguing Concept: Is Allen just Alex and Ana’s imaginary friend, or is he a real memory?
Core Themes: Family, Friendship, and Identity.
Genre: Blend of literary fiction and science fiction.

Final Thoughts

Voyagers is thought-provoking and beautifully written. A suspenseful exploration of friendship and family dynamics, it’s rich with science fiction, mystery, and emotional drama. It uses an extraterrestrial backdrop to dissect the fragility of human memory and poses the question: is discovering the truth always worth the cost? Most importantly, it explores the psychological aftermath of early stardom, public scrutiny, and shared childhood trauma.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy intelligent speculative fiction with strong, character-driven arcs.

“It is very painful to be called out for believing something that isn’t so. The instinct is not to cut one’s losses and confess to being wrong but to double down, to stay committed to your foolishness for so long that it takes on a kind of power.”

Get your copy today!

About the Author

Meg Charlton was born and raised in New York City. She holds an MFA in fiction from Brooklyn College, and Voyagers is her brilliant debut novel.

** Thank you to Sarah Jean Grimm and Broadside PR for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

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